Surprised by DOC as captain but fair play to him. Him being captain does suggest to me that he's out of contention for a test 22 spot though. Looks like AWJ and POC for the starting locks so and Vickery and Jenkins for the props. Flankers will be Wallace, Williams and Croft in the 22 one would think if this selection is any indication. Fitz still in with a shout but a very slim one. Will need a top performance to get in ahead of Monye. Monye on bench suggests his selection is not set in stone yet.

Isaac4leinster wrote:Must be heaviest starting pack ever, of any team, not just lions: I make it 926kg or 18st 3Ilbs per man. Jeeeez.

You do enjoy your stats!

I have a weakness for them alright, to the point where I email websites if I believe that they have incorrect ones. Could be a coincidence but I emailed the Official Lions site when it has a number of the Irish players weights wrong and it has been put right since. I have definitely got the IRFU to change a few.

tones wrote:So can we assume that Luke won't be in the Test squad or just not starting? Would be unfortunate for him not to be in the 22.

I noticed Graham Rowntree saying that some guys will play both Tuesday and Saturday, so I wouldn't write him off just yet.

They've said a number of times the squad isn't being picked till after the game on Tuesday. If Luke puts in a big performance tomorrow I think he'll be in with a great shout of starting on the wing, the same goes for S Williams, while he hasn't been playing well, one big performance could push him into the side. The three second rows playing also have a great chance to push for a spot in the 22

Does looks like most of those players won't be starting the first test, surprising, I'd have thought that Hook is the form 10 in the group, certainly the least flappable kicker,and Euan Murray seemed to me to be a likely member of the 22 anyway. The rest seems fair.I'm delighted to see Luke Fitz started where he should and man of the hour D'Arcy getting a start, cap an incredible return from injury for him. Looking forward to it, could be a big game. Throw Blair into that pack and you've got a nice even metric tonne too, take that Bokke.

tones wrote:So can we assume that Luke won't be in the Test squad or just not starting? Would be unfortunate for him not to be in the 22.

I noticed Graham Rowntree saying that some guys will play both Tuesday and Saturday, so I wouldn't write him off just yet.

They've said a number of times the squad isn't being picked till after the game on Tuesday. If Luke puts in a big performance tomorrow I think he'll be in with a great shout of starting on the wing, the same goes for S Williams, while he hasn't been playing well, one big performance could push him into the side. The three second rows playing also have a great chance to push for a spot in the 22

Ok cool, had got the impression those playing on Tuesday were out of the reckoning for the first test

"Munster could join the French League, or an expanded English / British league."

LeRouxIsPHat wrote:I suspect DOC is captain because they don't think Blair will be fit. Hope Luke and Darce have stormers!!!

I suspect DOC is captain because Blair is a useless piece of sh!t! Too late for D'Arce to force his way into the 22 but a good performance from Luke should see him home, while an superb one might even see him leapfrog Monye into the 22.